If you are looking for a true Botswana water experience then Xugana is the ideal choice with year-round access to boat and mokoro activities
Location: Set on a private island in the heart of Botswana's Okavango Delta, Xugana Island Lodge overlooks the breathtaking Xugana Lagoon, arguably the most stunning permanent water site in the Delta. You arrive by boat through a maze of waterways, stepping into a sanctuary framed by papyrus reeds and ancient ebony trees. We love how the journey in becomes part of the adventure.
Rooms: Just eight generously spaced luxury tents - including a family-friendly option - each enjoy lagoon-facing verandas and indoor‑outdoor flow. Thoughtfully designed interiors echo the blues and earthy tones of the surrounding water and vegetation. You’ll love the private enclosed viewing decks, en-suite bathrooms with both showers and double vanities, and elegant local finishes that bring the Delta inside your tent.
Amenities: The lodge’s central decks flow across multiple levels: bar, lounge, dining, curio shop and reception, all with sweeping water views. A floating plunge pool offers a serene spot to cool off, with the lagoon just beyond, and it feels as if you’ve stepped into a living watercolour.
Meals are an experience unto themselves: delicious local and international dishes served in the open-air boma or overlooking the water, often under a canopy of stars.
Activities: Here, water is your highway. Glide through channels in a mokoro or motorboat, head out on walking safaris across islands, or try your hand at catch‑and‑release fishing. Birdlife is sensational, especially from the water. If you’re after a different perspective, scenic helicopter flights reveal the Delta’s braided beauty from the sky. You’ll love how each activity deepens your connection with this extraordinary ecosystem.
Sustainability: Following its 2025 redesign, Xugana Island Lodge remains a model of off-grid luxury. Powered entirely by a state-of-the-art, solar-battery system, the lodge uses lightweight, low-impact materials and minimal infrastructure to protect its fragile island home. Through their partnership with Pack for a Purpose, travellers are encouraged to bring school supplies and medical essentials, directly supporting local villages and schools in the Delta region.
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